Saturday, 31 October 2009

Thursday, 29 October 2009

Thought I'd share my latest project with you - this little owl mobile for a friend who's about to have her first baby. The gender of the baby is unknown so I have tried to make it suitable for either sex (hence red and blue stitching on the eyes and nothing too girly, though it's v tempting!) The owl is stuffed with lavender to aid sleep (yeah, right, we can hope!) The moon part came about as a bit of an accident - I was wrapping the wooden embroidery hoop with strips of fabric and got about two thirds of the way around, realised it was a bit like a crescent, chopped the remaining third off and so the moon was created!!

The owl is not perfect - next time I'll make him shorter and wider - but it's an idea I might develop and sell as a gift for new borns. The trend seems to be for everything to be personalised which is an avenue I may well explore, although I would rather go for something very subtle: has anyone ever typed straight on to calico or even know if this is possible? If so I'll be looking out for an old fashioned typewriter- then I could wrap words or names around the moon!

Wednesday, 21 October 2009

I'd been trying out new Christmas cards and came up with this design (above). The fabric is actually stitched straight on to the card. I kind of liked it but there was something that wasn't quite right, so I took the idea and made in to something more 3 dimensional - what do you think?

I'm thinking I could make both strings of trees and individual ones to go on the tree itself...

I'm desperately looking for some polka dot fabric - linen if possible - with red dots on white/cream. Does anyone have any suggestions. For the time being I've comprimised and stitched some red beads on to plain linen, but it's quite time consuming!

Then I looked at the spotty trees and thought they looked a bit like toadstools so made one of these..

Okay, so they're not exactly traditional at Christmas, but they fit in with my red and white theme! Artistic license I think they call it. I reckon it's cute. Now I'm thinking about using this as a part of mobiles for little girls....STOP! I have to concentrate on Christmas for now! As usual my mind is six months ahead of my stitching fingers!!

...to the latest addition to our family, this exquisite advent pixie made in Denmark. Herbie and I squealed with delight when we unwrapped him yesterday! I have coveted one for a few years now but decided that this year I had to have one! He wasn't cheap but I figure that he'll last a lifetime and will no doubt be a bit of an heirloom. He's actually taller than my six year old and the attention to detail is just amazing. Just a shame he's got to be stored in the attic for 11 months of the year...

And staying with the pixie theme, just look at this beautiful ribbon I've bought to use on my handmade Christmas decorations - will post some photos when they're done!!

Sunday, 18 October 2009

We thought we'd take advantage of the lovely mild weather this afternoon (only 2 weeks until the clocks go back and I can't tell you how much I hate that) and headed off down to Seaton to blow away the cobwebs and do a bit of beachcombing.

Alas, the beach was sadly lacking in driftwood and I'm starting to panic a bit because I have alot of Christmas cards to make and my supply in the shed (sorry, Steve's shed!) is dwindling.

But I did pick up some tiny driftwood twigs and made a card for my best friend (she doesn't read my blog as she's stuck somewhere in the 20th century) - a kind of shaker style Christmas tree with little shell fragment decorations. Not exactly a masterpiece, but she loves the beach as much as I do and I know she will appreciate it!

I noticed these steps for the first time today - and I am deeply envious of whoever lives at the top!

For all I know it may be a run-down shack, but how fantastic to be able to descend them every morning and see what the tide's washed up! Imagine that!

Amendment: Of course anyone who is remotely organised/intelligent would know that the clocks go back this weekend and not the one after - sorry!

Sunday, 11 October 2009

So I was thinking to myself about whose talent I could showcase on this weeks post and then it dawned on me! I could do a little feature on the genius that is Steve Clark, who just happens to be my partner!

Completely self-taught, Steve got the bug after he borrowed an electric drill from a friend one weekend, and has built up quite a collection of power tools since!

Below is a photo of his first project, a coffee table made from recycled floorboards..

He has crafted quite a variety of lovely things for our home over the last 10 years or so..

A sconce made from painted recycled wood

Cute chopping boards and an early boat made from an old piece of oak

This mirror was created using driftwood from the River Medway.

A magazine rack was fashioned from a recycled crate

With a lovely piece of driftwood and some rusty nails, a simple hanging rack is constructed!

Some projects have been more complicated than others. Above is a driftwood Grandfather Clock which was a wedding gift for my sister Amy (the beautiful talent that is Chambers & Beau for those of you that didn't know!)

Saturday, 3 October 2009

Now that we're into October, I feel that it's almost acceptable to mention Christmas, so I thought I would share these handmade creations with you. They are made using driftwood found on local Cornish beaches, twigs, beads and fabric remnants. I am working on other designs - if they turn out well I will be sure to show you. Meanwhile the three above are available on Folksy.

About Me

Hi- thanks for visiting my blog!
I live in Cornwall with my partner and 2 young sons and we all love the beach! I have a background in illustration and printmaking, but now prefer to combine my love of beachcombing, textiles and all things nautical to create unique handcrafted cards and home accessories.

Contact me

kirstyelsondesigns@live.co.uk

Buy Online

www.kirstyelson.co.uk

What's in a name?

So why call the blog sixty one A? It's the number of the beach hut which has been in the family for about 4 decades. My siblings and I virtually grew up there, and now our children can get to enjoy it too!